Resource allocation/de-allocation and activation/deactivation

ABSTRACT

A computer-implemented method, carried out by one or more processors, for managing resources in a server environment. In an embodiment, the method includes determining to prepare one or more virtual resources for activation of one or more allocated host resources, based, at least in part, on virtual resource definitions. The one or more allocated host resources and the one or more virtual resources are activated. Activation of the one or more virtual resources is finalized, wherein finalizing the activation includes updating the virtual resource definitions.

BACKGROUND

In a virtual server environment, resources are typically allocated forutilization by virtual servers and other resource consumers. In a cloudenvironment, where a large number of virtual servers competing for andsharing common resources is deployed, the frequency of resourceallocations and de-allocations is by an order of magnitude higher thanin traditional server environments. Additional focus is put on input andoutput resources, where multiple and often time-consuming actions may beneeded to prepare a resource for use by a virtual server. It isdesirable that the resource activations and corresponding deactivationsbe performed in an automated and synchronized manner.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, computer programproduct and computer system for managing resources in a serverenvironment. A computer-implemented method includes determining, by oneor more processors, to prepare one or more virtual resources foractivation of one or more allocated host resources, based, at least inpart, on virtual resource definitions. The allocated host resources andthe one or more virtual resources are activated. Activation of the oneor more virtual resources is finalized, wherein finalizing theactivation includes updating the virtual resource definitions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a distributed dataprocessing environment, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource manageractivating resources, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource managerdeactivating resources, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource managerbundling resource activation steps for resource consumers, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resourcemanager's concurrent execution of resource activation and deactivationwhen reassigning host resources from the perspective of thedeactivation, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resourcemanager's concurrent execution of resource activation and deactivationwhen reassigning host resources from the perspective of the activation,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components of a computer system, such asthe computer server of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention manage resourceallocations and activations, as well as de-allocations anddeactivations. Virtual resources exist as part of a resource consumer. AResource consumer may be a virtual server, for example, a hypervisor.Although a hypervisor is generally a resource consumer that providesvirtual resources to its guests, a hypervisor may also consume resourcesfor its own, internal purposes. Appropriate host resources are assignedto these virtual resources when the resource consumer is activated.Resource allocation pertains to assigning host resources to virtualresources, such that a resource consumer can utilize the virtualresources. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention providedifferent types of host resources on multiple levels (i.e., physicalserver and hypervisors) that are assigned to resource consumers deployedon multiple levels of a server or within a server cluster. The number ofavailable host resources is typically limited due to equipmentconstraints, and even when the host resources are virtualized resourcesbased on physical resources. For instance, an upper limit exists for thenumber of virtual adapters hosted by a single physical adapter.

Resource allocation is typically performed on demand when resources areneeded to activate a resource consumer or when additional resources arecalled for an active resource consumer. Correspondingly, resourcede-allocation is typically performed when the resource consumer isdeactivated. Therefore, on subsequent resource consumer activations,different host resources can be allocated to the virtual resources.Also, the same host resource can be allocated to different virtualresources of the same or different resource consumers at differentpoints in time.

In order to utilize a virtual resource, a resource activation istypically performed. Resource activation actions can include clearingmain memory before assignment to a resource consumer, and updatingnetwork configuration and storage access to tables in host firmware(i.e., physical server and/or hypervisors). The activation procedure candepend on a virtualization type, where the virtualization type is howthe host resource is virtualized so that, for instance, a singlephysical host resource represents multiple virtualized host resources.The activation procedure can also depend on where the resource consumeris deployed, more particularly, on which hypervisor level. Activation ofboth the virtual resource and the assigned host resource allows forresource utilization by server firmware, hypervisors, and privilegedoperating systems.

Example embodiments in accordance with the present invention will now bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawing figures. FIG. 1 is afunctional block diagram illustrating a distributed data processingenvironment, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.The distributed data processing environment includes physical server102, management console 104, and external physical host resource 106,all interconnected over management network 108.

Physical server 102 represents a computer system utilizing clusteredcomputers and components that act as a single pool of seamless resourceswhen accessed through I/O network 124, as is common in data centers andwith cloud computing applications. In general, physical server 102 isrepresentative of any programmable electronic device or combination ofprogrammable electronic devices capable of executing machine-readableprogram instructions and communicating with other computer devices via anetwork.

Management console 104 manages physical server 102, external physicalhost resource 106 and the components therein. Management console 104provides both a graphical user interface (GUI) and applicationprogramming interfaces (API) for automated configuration management.Resource manager 110, residing in management console 104, allows for themanagement of activating and deactivating resources. Resource manager110 can bundle resource activation steps for two or more resourceconsumers, where resource manager 110 can perform activation steps inparallel for the two or more resource consumers. Resource manager 110can also execute activation and deactivation when reassigning hostresources.

In this embodiment, hypervisor 114 provides execution environments formultiple virtual servers, such as virtual server 112A and virtual server112B, to run on physical server 102. In addition to virtual server 112Aand 112B, hypervisor 114 can host one or more additional hypervisors notillustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore, virtual server 112A, virtual server112B, and hypervisor 114 can execute on one or more underlying levels ofhypervisors. A server cluster can include one or more physical servers102, therefore, virtual servers can execute on different nodes (i.e.,physical servers) of the server cluster.

Virtual server 112A, virtual server 112B, and hypervisor 114 areresource consumers and each includes virtual resource definitions 122.Virtual resource definitions 122 can include, but are not limited to,processors, memory, and I/O ports. Virtual resources are supported byphysical resources, which can exist internally or externally of physicalserver 102. Typically, external and internal host resources includevirtual host resources. For example, virtual processors are based onphysical processors and virtual network adapters are based on physicalnetwork adapters. Examples of providers for virtualization of hostresources can include physical server 102 (hardware and firmware),hypervisor 114, or an independent virtualization entity not illustratedin FIG. 1. In this embodiment, internal physical host resource 116 andexternal physical host resource 106, respectively, include internalvirtual host resources 118 and external virtual host resources 120. I/Onetwork 124 can connect physical server 102 with external physical hostresource 106.

In general, management network 108 can be any combination of connectionsand protocols that can support communications between physical server102, management console 104, and external physical host resource 106.I/O network 124 can be any combination of connections and protocolsthat's can support communications between physical server 102 andexternal physical host resource 106. Typically, management network 108and I/O network 124 are independent from one and other. Managementnetwork 108 and I/O network 124 can include, for example, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the internet, acellular network, or any combination of the preceding, and can furtherinclude wired, wireless, and/or fiber optic connections.

FIG. 2A is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource manageractivating resources, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Resource allocation (allocation of host resources to virtual resources)and resource activation of both virtual resources and the assigned hostresources is typically performed when a resource consumer owning thevirtual resources is activated, and when resources are added to anactive resource consumer. Resource de-allocation and resourcedeactivation of both virtual resources and the assigned host resourcesis typically performed when a resource consumer owning a virtualresource is deactivated, and when resources are removed from an activeresource consumer. Typically, the allocation and de-allocation is aone-step operation. However, resource activation and deactivation canconsist of multiple steps which affect both the virtual resources andthe associated host resources, and depend on the operational state ofthe resource consumer.

Virtual resources typically exist as part of a resource consumer, morespecifically as part of the definitions of the resource consumer. Foreach type of virtual resource, there is a virtual resource providermanaging the virtual resource. For example, a network manager managescommunication network ports, or a storage manager manages storageresources and storage network ports. Managing virtual resources includesthe activating and deactivating of the virtual resources. Host resourcesare present when there are underlying physical resources present, andwhen the virtual entity providing appropriate virtualized host resourcesis present as well. Host resources can be organized in resource poolsfrom which resource manager 110 can allocated each individual resource.For each type of host resource, there is a host resource provider thatmanages the host resource.

Resource manager 110 prepares a virtual resource for activation ofallocated host resources (step 202). Resource manager 110 queriesdefined virtual resources and host resources, where resource manager 110utilizes a resource consumer for the queries. Resource manager 110determines availability of the host resources and allocates the hostresources, where resource manager 110 utilizes resource consumer,virtual resource providers, and host resource pools for thedetermination and allocation. In this embodiment, resource manager 110prepares internal virtual host resources 118 and external virtual hostresources 120 for activation of allocated internal physical hostresources 116, and external physical host resources 106, respectively.Resource manager 110 utilizes the resource consumer and virtual resourceproviders to prepare a virtual resource for activation of allocated hostresources. Virtual resource definitions 122 dictate the preparation ofinternal virtual host resources 118 and external virtual host resources120.

Resource manager 110 activates host resources (step 204). In thisembodiment, resource manager 110 activates both external physical hostresource 106 and internal physical host resource 116 according to theneeds of the resource consumers. Resource manager 110 updates virtualresource definitions 122 to indicate that external physical hostresource 106 and internal physical host resource 116 are activated.Resource manager 110 utilizes the resource consumer, virtual resourceproviders, host resource pools, and host resource providers to activatethe host resources (i.e., external physical host resource 106 andinternal physical host resource 116).

Resource manager 110 determines to continue virtual resource activationsubsequent to the activation of the allocated host resources (step 206).In this embodiment, resource manager 110 performs the virtual resourceactivation for internal virtual host resources 118 and external virtualhost resources 120. Resource manager 110 utilizes the resource consumerand the virtual resource providers to continue the activation of virtualresources.

Resource manager 110 finalizes virtual resource activations (step 208).In this embodiment, resource manager 110 performs a finalization of theactivation of internal virtual host resources 118 and external virtualhost resources 120. This finalization can include updating I/Oconfiguration definitions of a particular virtual machine associatedwith the virtual resource. In this example, resource manager 110 updatesI/O configuration definitions for virtual server 112A and virtual server112B. Resource manager 110 utilizes the resource consumer and thevirtual resource providers to finalize the activation subsequent toresource consumer activation.

FIG. 2B is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource managerdeactivating resources, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Resource manager 110 prepares virtual resource for deactivation (step210). Resource manager 110 prepares for virtual resource deactivationwhile the resource consumer is still active. Resource manager 110utilizes the resource consumer and virtual resource providers for thepreparation of the virtual resource for deactivation.

Resource manager 110 prepares virtual resource for deactivation ofallocated host resources (step 212). Subsequent to the deactivation ofthe virtual machines (i.e., virtual server 112A and virtual server112B), resource manager 110 prepares internal virtual host resources 118and external virtual host resources 120 for deactivation of allocatedinternal physical host resources 116, and external physical hostresources 106, respectively. Virtual resource definitions 122 dictatethe preparation of internal virtual host resources 118 and externalvirtual host resources 120. Resource manager 110 utilizes the resourceconsumer and virtual resource providers to prepare the virtual resourcesfor deactivation of the associated host resources.

Resource manager 110 deactivates host resources (step 214). In thisembodiment, resource manager 110 deactivates both external physical hostresource 106 and internal physical host resource 116. Resource manager110 updates virtual resource definitions 122 to indicate that externalphysical host resource 106 and internal physical host resource 116 aredeactivated. Resource manager 110 utilizes the resource consumer,virtual resource providers, host resource pools, and host resourceproviders to deactivate the host resources.

Resource manager 110 determines to continue virtual resourcedeactivation subsequent to the deactivation of the allocated hostresources (step 216). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 performsthe virtual resource deactivation for internal virtual host resources118 and external virtual host resources 120 subsequent to thedeactivation of both external physical host resource 106 and internalphysical host resource 116. Resource manager 110 utilizes the resourceconsumer and the virtual providers to finalize virtual resourcedeactivation and de-allocate the host resources.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resource managerbundling resource activation steps for resource consumers, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention.

Typically, for each resource consumer there are multiple virtualresources defined, where some of the virtual resources are of the sametype. Accordingly, the virtual resources of a resource consumer needmultiple host resources, where some of the host resources are of thesame type. Resource manager 110 has the ability to combine resourceactivations for virtual resources and host resources of the same type.For example, virtual resources of the same type are sent to theresponsible virtual resource provider in a single request rather thanindividual requests for each virtual resource. Similarly, host resourcesof the same type are sent to the responsible host resource provider in asingle request rather than individual requests for each host resource.To enable parallel execution of virtual resource and host resourceactivations by different virtual resource providers and host resourceproviders, resource manager 110 utilizes a separate execution thread foreach virtual resource provider and host resource provider.

FIG. 3 represents two threads managing the activation of 2 resourceconsumers, where resource manager 110 independently and in parallelperforms steps 302, 304, 308, and 310. For example, resource manager 110performs step 302A independently and in parallel to step 302B. However,resource manager 110 suspends the two threads during step 306. Resourcemanager 110 performs step 306A in parallel with step 306B in multipleindependent virtual resource provider or host resource provider threads,where there is one thread per each virtual resource provider or hostresource provider which manages virtual resources or host resources.Upon completion of the virtual resource provider and host resourceprovider threads, resource manager 110 resumes the two resource consumerthreads (i.e., step 310A and step 310B).

Resource manager 110 prepares next activation step for resource consumer#1 and #2 (step 302A, 302B). In this embodiment, resource manager 110prepares the next activation step for resource consumer #1 of the firstthread in parallel to the preparation of the next step for resourceconsumer #2 of the second thread. Resource manager 110 idles whilewaiting for the two pending resource consumer threads to arrive,subsequent to the completion of the preparation for each resourceconsumer thread or for any of the resource consumer threads to timeout.Resource manager 110 suspends all active resource consumer threadsexcept one resource consumer thread.

Resource manager 110 receives virtual resources/host resources fromresource consumer threads and sorts them by virtual resourceprovider/host resource provider (step 304). In this embodiment, resourcemanager 110, operating on one thread, receives virtual resources andhost resources from the first consumer thread and the second consumerthread. Resource manager 110 sorts the virtual resources and the hostresources according to virtual resource providers and host resourceproviders. Resource manager 110 sorts the virtual resources according toassociated virtual resource providers and sorts the host resourcesaccording to associated host resource providers.

Resource manager 110 sends requests to virtual resource providers/hostresource providers (step 306A, 306B). In this embodiment, resourcemanager 110 sends a single request to each virtual resource provider orhost resource provider rather than multiple requests to each virtualresource provider or host resource provider. For example, in step 306Aresource manager 110 sends a request to a first virtual resourceprovider or host resource provider and in step 306B resource managersends a request to a second virtual resource provider or host resourceprovider. In this embodiment, resource manager 110 performs step 306Aand 306B independently but in parallel utilizing an additional threadfor the second virtual resource provider or host resource provider.

Resource manager 110 evaluates results of virtual resourceproviders/host resource providers (step 308). In this embodiment,resource manager 110 idles while waiting for the completion of the firstvirtual resource provider or host resource provider and the secondvirtual resource provider or host resource provider threads. Subsequentto the completion of the first virtual resource provider or hostresource provider and the second virtual resource provider or hostresource provider threads, resource manager 110 evaluates the results.Based on the evaluation, resource manager 110 can determine whether ornot to perform a rollback on any one of the two virtual resourceprovider or host resource provider threads.

Resource manager 110 resumes resource consumers (step 310A, 310B). Forthe resource consumer in the first thread of step 302A and the secondthread of step 302B, resource manager 110 determines to resume the firstresource consumer thread and the second resource consumer thread. Theresulting continuation of the first resource consumer thread isindependently parallel with the second resource consumer thread.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resourcemanager's concurrent execution of resource activation and deactivationwhen reassigning host resources from the perspective of thedeactivation, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B represent resource-related action in the context ofactivating or deactivating a resource consumer. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4Brepresent two threads which resource manager 110 performs in parallel.FIG. 4A represents an activation thread of first resource consumer andFIG. 4B represents a deactivation thread of a second resource consumer.Subsequent to the completion of steps (i.e., step 402/412, 404/414etc.), resource manager 110 halts the two threads and parallel executionof virtual resource providers and host resource providers occurs. Uponcompletion, the two threads of the resource consumers are resumed.

Typically, resource manager 110 does not perform further resourcerelated activities when adding or removing virtual resource definitionsto or from an inactive resource consumer. In the event there areadditions to the virtual resource definition to an active resourceconsumer, resource manager 110 implements the additions to the virtualresource definitions to use a resource. Resource manager 110 performsboth the allocation of appropriate host resources and the multi-stepactivation of the resource. The number of steps to activate the addedresource is similar to the number of steps to activate the resource inthe context of a resource consumer activation, where the difference isthat resource manager 110 does not activate the resource consumer. Inthe event there is a removal of virtual resource definition from anactive resource consumer, resource manager 110 deactivates andde-allocates the resource. Resource manager 110 can activate andallocate the resource for another resource consumer, therefore resourcemanager 110 performs a multi-step deactivation of the resource and thede-allocation of associated host resources. The number of steps todeactivate the resource to be removed is similar to the number of stepsto deactivate a resource in the context of a the resource consumerdeactivation, where the difference is that resource manager 110 does notdeactivate the resource consumer.

Resource manager 110 request preparation for virtual resourcedeactivations for resource consumer #1 (step 402). In this embodiment,resource manager 110 determines virtual resource definitions are removedfor resource consumer #1. Resource manager 110 can send a request to avirtual resource provider, where the virtual resource provider preparesfor the deactivation of the virtual resources of resource consumer #1.

Resource manager 110 shuts down resource consumer #1 (step 404). In thisembodiment, resource manager 110 shuts down resource consumer #1, whereshutting down resource consumer #1 also includes subsequent steps ofdeactivating host resources for resource consumer #1.

Resource manager 110 requests preparation for host resourcedeactivations (step 406). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 sendsa request to the virtual resource provider to prepare the host resourcesof resource consumer #1 for deactivations. The virtual resource providerprepares for the deactivation of the host resources for resourceconsumer #1. Resource manager 110 can bundle preparations fordeactivation and activation of host resources of multiple resourceconsumers (i.e., resource consumer #1 and resource consumer #2) for asingle virtual resource provider, where the single virtual resourceprovider performs preparations for deactivation and activation of hostresources of multiple resource consumers concurrently.

Resource manager 110 requests host resource deactivations (step 408). Inthis embodiment, resource manager 110 sends a request to the hostresource provider to deactivate host resources for resource consumer #1.The host resource provider deactivates the host resources for resourceconsumer #1. Resource manager 110 can bundle the deactivation andactivation of host resources of multiple resource consumers (i.e.,resource consumer #1 and resource consumer #2) for a single hostresource provider, where the single host resource provider performsdeactivation and activation of host resources of multiple resourceconsumers concurrently.

Resource manager 110 requests continuation of virtual resourcedeactivations (step 410). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 sendsa request to the virtual resource provider for continuation ofdeactivation of virtual resources of resource consumer #1. The virtualresource provider continues with the deactivation of the virtualresources for resource consumer #1. Resource manager 110 can bundle thecontinuation of deactivation and activation of virtual resources ofmultiple resource consumers (i.e., resource consumer #1 and resourceconsumer #2) for a single host resource provider, where the single hostresource provider performs continuations of deactivation and activationof virtual resources of multiple resource consumers concurrently.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart depicting operational steps of a resourcemanager's concurrent execution of resource activation and deactivationwhen reassigning host resources from the perspective of the activation,in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Resource manager 110 requests preparation for host resource activations(step 412). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 sends a request tothe virtual resource provider to prepare the host resources of resourceconsumer #2 for activations. The virtual resource provider prepares forthe activation of the host resources for resource consumer #2. Aspreviously mentioned in the discussion of FIG. 4A, resource manager 110can bundle preparations for deactivation and activation of hostresources of multiple resource consumers (i.e., resource consumer #1 andresource consumer #2) for a single virtual resource provider, where thesingle virtual resource provider performs preparations for deactivationand activation of host resources of multiple resource consumersconcurrently.

Resource manager 110 request host resource activations (step 414). Inthis embodiment, resource manager 110 sends a request to the hostresource provider to activate host resources for resource consumer #2.The host resource provider activates the host resources for resourceconsumer #2. As previously mentioned in the discussion of FIG. 4A,resource manager 110 can bundle the deactivation and activation of hostresources of multiple resource consumers (i.e., resource consumer #1 andresource consumer #2) for a single host resource provider, where thesingle host resource provider performs deactivation and activation ofhost resources of multiple resource consumers concurrently.

Resource manager 110 requests continuation of virtual resourceactivations (step 416). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 sends arequest to the virtual resource provider for continuation of activationof virtual resources of resource consumer #2. The virtual resourceprovider continues with the activation of the virtual resources forresource consumer #2. As previously mentioned in the discussion of FIG.4A, resource manager 110 can bundle the continuation of deactivation andactivation of virtual resources of multiple resource consumers (i.e.,resource consumer #1 and resource consumer #2) for a single virtualresource provider, where the single virtual resource provider performscontinuations of deactivation and activation of virtual resources ofmultiple resource consumers concurrently.

Resource manager 110 starts up resource consumer #2 (step 418). In thisembodiment, resource manager 110 starts up resource consumer #2, wherestarting up resource consumer #2 also includes subsequent steps ofactivating virtual resources for resource consumer #2.

Resource manager 110 requests finalization of virtual resourceactivations (step 420). In this embodiment, resource manager 110 cansend a request to the virtual resource provider, where the virtualresource provider finalizes the activation of the virtual resources ofresource consumer #2. Finalization of the virtual resource activationallows for resource consumer #2 to utilize the activated resources.

FIG. 5 depicts a block diagram of components of a computer, such asmanagement console 104, hosting resource manager 110 in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the present invention. It should beappreciated that FIG. 5 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environment may be made.

Management console 104 include communications fabric 502, which providescommunications between computer processor(s) 504, memory 506, persistentstorage 508, communications unit 510, and input/output (I/O)interface(s) 512. Communications fabric 502 can be implemented with anyarchitecture designed for passing data and/or control informationbetween processors (such as microprocessors, communications and networkprocessors, etc.), system memory, peripheral devices, and any otherhardware components within a system. For example, communications fabric502 can be implemented with one or more buses.

Memory 506 and persistent storage 508 are examples of computer readabletangible storage devices. A storage device is any piece of hardware thatis capable of storing information, such as, data, program code infunctional form, and/or other suitable information on a temporary basisand/or permanent basis. In this embodiment, memory 506 includes randomaccess memory (RAM) 514 and cache memory 516. In general, memory 506 caninclude any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer readable storagedevice.

Resource manager 110 is stored in persistent storage 508 for executionby one or more of computer processors 504 via one or more memories ofmemory 506. In this embodiment, persistent storage 508 includes amagnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetichard disk drive, persistent storage 508 can include a solid state harddrive, a semiconductor storage device, read-only memory (ROM), erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, or any othercomputer-readable storage medium that is capable of storing programinstructions or digital information.

The media used by persistent storage 508 may also be removable. Forexample, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 508.Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, andsmart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer onto anothercomputer readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage508.

Communications unit 510, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices, including systems anddevices within or controlled by management console 104. In theseexamples, communications unit 510 includes one or more wireless networkinterface cards. Communications unit 510 may provide communicationsthrough the use of either or both physical and wireless communicationslinks. Computer programs and processes, such as resource manager 110,may be downloaded to persistent storage 508 through communications unit510, or uploaded to another system through communications unit 510.

I/O interface(s) 512 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to management console 104. For example,I/O interface 512 may provide a connection to external devices 518 suchas a keyboard, keypad, a touch screen, and/or some other suitable inputdevice. External devices 518 can also include portable computer readablestorage media such as, for example, thumb drives, portable optical ormagnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practiceembodiments of the present invention can be stored on such portablecomputer readable storage media and can be loaded onto persistentstorage 508 via I/O interface(s) 512. I/O interface(s) 512 may alsoconnect to a display 520. Display 520 provides a mechanism to displaydata to a user and may be, for example, a touch screen or a computermonitor.

The programs described herein are identified based upon the applicationfor which they are implemented in a specific embodiment of theinvention. However, it should be appreciated that any particular programnomenclature herein is used merely for convenience, and thus theinvention should not be limited to use solely in any specificapplication identified and/or implied by such nomenclature.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product. The computer program product may include a computerreadable storage medium (or media) having computer readable programinstructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of thepresent invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, andconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages. The computerreadable program instructions may execute entirely on the user'scomputer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone softwarepackage, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computeror entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario,the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through anytype of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide areanetwork (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer(for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example,programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), orprogrammable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readableprogram instructions by utilizing state information of the computerreadable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry,in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

1-7. (canceled)
 8. A computer program product for managing resources ina server environment, the computer program product comprising: one ormore computer readable tangible storage media and program instructionsstored on at least one of the one or more storage media, the programinstructions comprising: program instructions to determine to prepareone or more virtual resources for activation of one or more allocatedhost resources allocated host resource based at least in part on virtualresource definitions; program instructions to activate the allocatedhost resources; program instructions to activate the one or more virtualresources; and program instructions to finalize the activation of theone or more virtual resources, wherein finalizing the activationincludes updating the virtual resource definitions.
 9. The computerprogram product of claim 8, further comprising program instructions,stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, which whenexecuted by a processor: determine to prepare the one or more virtualresources for deactivation of the one or more allocated host resourcebased at least in part on the virtual resource definitions; deactivatethe one or more allocated host resources; deactivate the one or morevirtual resources; and finalize the deactivation of the one or morevirtual resources, wherein finalizing the deactivation includes updatingthe virtual resource definitions.
 10. The computer program product ofclaim 8, further comprising program instructions, stored on the one ormore computer readable storage media, which when executed by aprocessor: query a first resource consumer for a list, wherein the listincludes at least a first virtual resource and a first host resource;query a host resource pool to determine if the first host resource ispresent; responsive to determining the first host resource is present inthe host resource pool, allocate the first host resource to the firstresource consumer; and send a request to activate the first virtualresource and the first host resource to a virtual resource provider anda host resource provider.
 11. The computer program product of claim 10,further comprising program instructions, stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media, which when executed by a processor:determine the first resource consumer is initialized; and send a requestto finalize the activation of the first virtual resource.
 12. Thecomputer program product of claim 11, wherein sending a request toactivate the first virtual resource and the first host resource isperformed on a single thread.
 13. The computer program product of claim11, further comprising program instructions, stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media, which when executed by a processor:determine to prepare the first virtual resource of the virtual resourceprovider for deactivation, wherein the determination is based at leastin part on the virtual resource definitions; determine to prepare thefirst host resource of the host resource provider for deactivation; andassign the first host resource to a second virtual resource for a secondresource consumer.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, furthercomprising program instructions, stored on the one or more computerreadable storage media, which when executed by a processor: activate thesecond virtual resource; activate the second resource consumer.
 15. Acomputer system for managing resources in a server environment, thecomputer system comprising: one or more computer processors; one or morecomputer readable storage media; and program instructions stored on thecomputer readable storage media for execution by at least one of the oneor more computer processors, the program instructions comprising:program instructions to determine to prepare one or more virtualresources for activation of one or more allocated host resources basedat least in part on virtual resource definitions; program instructionsto activate the one or more allocated host resources; programinstructions to activate the one or more virtual resources; and programinstructions to finalize the activation of the one or more virtualresources, wherein finalizing the activation includes updating thevirtual resource definitions.
 16. The computer system of claim 15,further comprising program instructions, stored on the one or morecomputer readable storage media, which when executed by a processor:determine to prepare the one or more virtual resources for deactivationof the one or more allocated host resources based at least in part onthe virtual resource definitions; deactivate the one or more allocatedhost resources; deactivate the one or more virtual resources; andfinalize the deactivation of the one or more virtual resources, whereinfinalizing the deactivation includes updating the virtual resourcedefinitions.
 17. The computer system of claim 15, further comprisingprogram instructions, stored on the one or more computer readablestorage media, which when executed by a processor: query a firstresource consumer for a list, wherein the list includes at least a firstvirtual resource and a first host resource; query a host resource poolto determine if the first host resource is present; responsive todetermining the first host resource is present in the host resourcepool, allocate the first host resource to the first resource consumer;and send a request to activate the first virtual resource and the firsthost resource to a virtual resource provider and a host resourceprovider.
 18. The computer system of claim 17, further comprisingprogram instructions, stored on the one or more computer readablestorage media, which when executed by a processor: determine the firstresource consumer is initialized; and send a request to finalize theactivation of the first virtual resource.
 19. The computer system ofclaim 18, wherein sending a request to activate the first virtualresource and the first host resource is performed on a single thread.20. The computer system of claim 18, further comprising programinstructions, stored on the one or more computer readable storage media,which when executed by a processor: determine to prepare the firstvirtual resource of the virtual resource provider for deactivation,wherein the determination is based at least in part on the virtualresource definitions; determine to prepare the first host resource ofthe host resource provider for deactivation; and assign the first hostresource to a second virtual resource for a second resource consumer.